Automatic shut-off dispensing nozzle



United States Patent inventors Paul Budzak AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF DISPENSING NOZZL 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

U.S.Cl 141/209,

i l4l/2l4z222/20 lnt.Cl. B65b1/30 Field ofSearch.; 141/206;

l1ll3,542,092

References Cited Primary Examiner-Kenneth W. Sprague Attorneys-Meyer Neshloss, Deane E. Keith and William Kovensky ABSTRACT: The invention pertains to automatic shutoff dispensing nozzles of the type wherein air is drawn from a locationgnear the exit end of the discharge pipe by a venturi in the nozzle body created by the flow of liquid being dispensed. Disruption of this air flow by the liquid in the receptacle covering the air intake triggers nozzle shutoff. The invention comprises additional means to trigger nozzle shutoff tapped into this air flow stream, while retaining normal operating capabilities. A double springloaded ball check assembly is provided to permit use in any orientation and to minimize the amount of the liquid utilized by the invention.

Patented Nov. 24, 1970 INVENTORS.

PAUL A. auDzA/f #ammo 144 ceoop v 1 v AUTOMATIC vSHUT-Orr DisPENsrNc NozzLE This invention relates to dispensing nozzles, particularly of the well known automatic full tank shutofftype utilized in the retail marketing of gasoline.

One example of such a nozzle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,582,195 to Duerr. That nozzle provides means operable by the gasoline in the receptacle receiving the gasoline, the car's gas tank, to automatically shut off the nozzle when the receptacle being filled is substantially full. This automatic shutoff means comprise an internal venturi throat through which all the gasoline being dispensed passes. The low pressure or slight vacuum condition created at this venturi throat draws air and/or gasoline vapors from an opening located near the outlet end of the main discharge pipe of the nozzle. The vacuum condition is transmitted through a chamber in the nozzle. vWhen-the tank is full, the air intake opening at the exit end of the main discharge nozzle is blocked by the fuel in the tank, the suction is disrupted', and the blocking of the suction is utilized to trip a spring loaded device, which includes a diaphragm which defines the suction chamberto shut the nozzle off.

The present invention comprises an improvement of nozzles typified by the Duerr patent above which comprises means.

cooperable with the existing vacuum system to shut the nozzle off from the main pump body itself, or from any remote location, inaddition to maintaining the usual automatic full tank and manual operating capabilities of the nozzle.

The invention comprises means to utilize a minute quantity of the gasoline beingpumped to operate the shutoff means in the nozzle. According vto the invention, the path of the `gasoline after the main pump is tapped into at any convenient location by a conduit which extends through the inside of the main delivery `hose and to the nozzle, terminating at a location in operative cooperation with the vacuum chamber ofthe nozzle triggering means. This additional conduit includes remotely operated valve means which may be operated by push buttons, dials, or2 any automatic or other equipment remotely located or settable .bytheoperator or bythe user to shut off the nozzle at any desired time. The present invention may be incorporated into, for example, a self-service dispensing system wherein the customer puts a certain amount of money into a control unit, the control unit causes the pump to begin operation, and then causes the nozzle shut off, by operating the valve means of the invention, after a quantity of product equal in money value to the amount o f money the customer has supplied has been dispensed. The valve means may be electrically operated, or a pneumatic or hydraulic type.-

The advantages of the invention include the fact that the gasoline itself and not a second extraneous fluid is used as the working fluid. Another advantage is thatan exceedingly simple and inexpensive apparatus including only one remotely controlled valve is required. Suitable electrical solenoid valves sealed and approved for operation in gasoline pumps are standard hardware items. The invention also provides a double `spring-loaded ball check assembly located in the nozzle body itself in the suction path but positionedl between the exit end of the small gasoline carrying control conduit and the operating portions of the nozzle body, whereby the amount of gasoline required to operate the invention is reduced to a minimum. This spring-loaded ball check assembly, in addition.

to minimizing the amount of gasoline utilized, has'a further advantage in that it provides dispensing nozzles including the invention with exceedingly'rapid response time. That is, the elapsed time between operation of the remote valve means and stopping of the pump and of gasoline flow through the dispensing nozzle 4is very short.

Because of the inexpensive and simple construction of the apparatus of the invention, it is easily adaptable for use with any automatic shutoff liquid dispensing nozzle that utilizes a vacuum chamber whichdraws air. from the vicinity of the outlet end of the nozzle and utilizes the fluid to block this flow of air to trigger the nozzle.

Another advantage of the apparatus of the invention is that it shuts the nozzle and stops the flow, rather than shutting off the main'pump or its motor to stop the flow. lt is preferred to Stop the flow at the nozzle, allowing the pump to continue pumping and allowing the usual bypass means to operate,

rather than shutting off the pump or the pump motor, because if the pump only is shut off all the liquid remaining in the hose and the nozzle is free out. Additionally, if the nozzle is not shut off, and if during a subsequent sale the pump is turned on before the nozzle is in position, the customer, his automobile, or both of them could possibly have gasoline spilled on them. In the present invention, the automatic means turns on the pump motor but no fluid flows until the nozzle is operated by hand. At the end of the sale, the automatic control shuts the nozzle off. l

Some prior known devices utilize an electrically operated solenoid or similar means mounted directly on the nozzle, with some other automaticor other means operating the solenoid. This is highly undesirable when gasoline is the fluid because of the danger of arcing or sparking in the solenoid and subsequent fire or explosion. Such a solenoid and its wires are susceptible to damage because the nozzle and hose are usually roughly handled thus increasing the likelihood of breakage and sparking. ln the present invention no electrical devices are located near the nozzle, and the single solenoid, if it should be electrical, is located within the pump housing, is stationary, and may be easily made explosion proof.

The above vand other advantages of the invention will be pointed 'out or will become evident in the following detailed description and claims, and in the accompanying drawing also forming a part of the disclosure, in which: FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a gasoline pump and automatic shutoff dispensing nozzle embodying the invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the nozzle of FIG. 1, reversed left to right, with some parts broken.away; and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the showing of FIG. 2.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates a nozzle embodying the invention. Nozzle 10 is connected by means of a composite hose assembly 12 to a gasoline pump 14 of conventional constructionfThis showing is illustrative only. Other pump configurationspcould also be used. The pumping apparatus, not shown, within pump assembly 14 supplies the gasoline under pressure through a pipe 16, which is connected to hose 12 by means of an elbow 18 and a pipe-to-hose connecter 20. Connecter 20 is held onto the outside casing of the pump assembly 14 in the usual manner. lncluded in pump assembly 14 as part of its conventional apparatus is a small conduit 22 which is tapped into elbow 18. The invention provides means to tap part of the main flow of gasoline for purposes which will appear more clearly below. To this end, a` Tee fitting 24 is provided in conduit 22, with a conduit 26 extending out of the leg of said fitting. Conduit 26 feeds the gasoline under pressure supplied by the main pump through pipe 16 and tapped by conduit 22 to normally closed valve means 28. Element 28 is illustrated as being an electrical solenoid valve, but as will be well understood by those skilled in this art, an equivalent hydraulic or pneumatic device could be provided if more convenient in other applications. The outlet end of valve 28 is connected to a conduit 30 which passes through the wall of connecter 20 and extends coextensively with and inside of the hose 32 forming part of hose assembly 12.

Hose 32 itself is conventional, and assembly 12 comprises lhose 32 plus conduit 30. While these two elements are illusit will be clear to those skilled in this art, in view of the additional description below, that conduit 26 could just as well be tapped into pipe 16, or into the flow path of the gasoline from the pump to the nozzle l at any other location on the pressure side of the pump.

As shown in the drawing, upon reaching the region of the nozzle, conduit 30 passes outwardly through adapter 34, and then runs along the outside of the nozzle 10. The drawings were made from the prototype of the invention which was built and successfully tested, but it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that conduit 30 at the region ofthe nozzle could easily be cast into the nozzle body, with suitable provision being made for interconnecting the two conduits or integral passageways in the nozzle and hose in the vicinity of adapter 34.

Along the same line of reasoning, it will be understood that the various portions of conduit 30 throughout its length may be made of different materials with suitable connecting means being provided. For example, within pump assembly 14 conduit 30 is preferably of metal, in hose assembly 12 it is preferably of a suitable tough and flexible plastic, and along the outside of the nozzle 10, it is again preferably of metal.

Referring to FIG. 2, the nozzle of U.S. Pat. No. 2,582,195 is shown for purposes of illustration, it being understood that the invention is equally well used with any nozzle utilizing liquid level operated suction means to trip the nozzle shut when the receptacle is full or full to some predetermined level. Only so much of said prior nozzle is shown and described as is necessary to understand the operation of the present invention, and reference may be had to the above mentioned patent for a fuller description thereof.

Nozzle includes a discharge pipe 36 having means 38 to form an opening adjacent its outlet end. One end ofa tube 40 is connected to the inside end of opening forming means 38, and the opposite end of said tube communicates with a chamber 42 formed in the body 44 of nozzle 10. Comparing FIGS. l and 2, noting that the showing is reversed left to right to more clearly show the apparatus of the invention, conduit 30 terminates in an orifice 46 within chamber 42. The upper end of chamber 42 is defined by a combined gasket and diaphragm member 48 formed of synthetic rubber, or other suitable material. The operation of this portion will be explained in more detail in conjunction with the description of FIG. 3 below. Nozzle 10 comprises a cap member 50, the inside of which defines a chamber 52 in combination with diaphragm member 48. A first passageway 54 in the cap communicates chamber 42 with chamber 52, and a secondpassageway S6 communicates chamber 52 with a passageway 58 formed in body 44. The main venturi, not shown, creates a low pressure or suction condition in passageway 58. A triggering assembly 60 is mounted in nozzle 10 partially above and partially below diaphragm 48 for operation by said diaphragm.

A complete description is available in the Duerr patent mentioned above. However, it need only be understood that in normal operation, the low pressure, vacuum, or suction condition created by the main venturi in the nozzle is transmitted from the venture through passageways 58 and 5,6, chamber 52, passageway 54, chamber 42, tube 40, and opening means 38 from which air and/or vapors are drawn. So long as air continues to be drawn through opening means 38 the nozzle remains open. When the liquid level in the receptacle covers opening means 38, the low pressure condition is disrupted, diaphragm 48 is lifted slightly towards the cap 50, and triggering means 60 in the nozzle are operated to shut it off. Thus, it is a blockage ofthis flow which trips the nozzle shut.

Referring to FIGS. l and 3, operation of solenoid valve 28 from its normally closed to an open position, by any other apparatus with which the invention may be associated, permits the flow of pressurized gasoline through conduit 30, through orifice 46, and into chamber 42, which will block the suction flow, and cause operation of triggering means 60 to shut off the nozzle.

As thus far described, without the double spring loaded ball check assembly described below, the invention has been built and found to be operative. However, the ball with at least the lower spring is preferred because flooding of chamber 42 and tube 40 is avoided, and, more importantly, a very rapid response time is provided.

However, it is preferred that means be provided to prevent flooding of chambers 42 and 52 with gasoline in that such gasoline would have to later drain out of tube 40. Such draining comprises fuel which may not be metered and hence not paid for, albeit a small quantity, and further comprises an undesirable condition in that such draining could possibly occur after the discharge pipe 36 has been withdrawn from the receptacle which might permit that small quantity of gasoline to spill on a vehicle or on the pavement.

Therefore, to this end, referring to FIG. 3, a double springloaded ball check assembly 62 is provided within chamber 42. Assembly 62 comprises a ball 64 formed of nylon or other suitable material substantially inert in the presence of gasoline or whatever other liquid is being dispensed. A stronger spring 66 is provided between ball 64 and tube 40 to hold the ball in spaced relation above orifice 46 of conduit 30. A very light spring 68 is provided between ball 64 and opening 70 formed in gasket and diaphragm memberv 48 at the upper end of chamber 42. As will appear more clearly below, a perforated or slotted sleeve or other rigid member could be provided in place of stiffer spring 66. Thus, the ball is held between the two springs in normal operation at the position shown in FIG. t

3. When a Lfill-up is requested, the nozzle operates until opening means 38 are blocked by the gasoline in the-receptacle, shutting the nozzle off without effecting the apparatus of the invention or moving ball 64. The addition of the invention also permits manual operation of nozzle 10 in the usual manner. When less than a full tank of gas is required, and valve means 28 is brought into operation under the control of some other control means, gasoline under pressure is supplied through conduit 30 and orifice 46 and immediately shuts the nozzle and the pump off. Ball 64 is immediately moved towards opening 70 in the gasket by the influx of pressurized gasoline because of the very light resistance of spring 68 thus preventing any gasoline from entering passageway 54 or chamber 52. The very small amount of gasoline supplied for this purpose, upon shutting off of the nozzle and closing of the solenoid valve immediately drains out through tube 40 and opening means 38 into the receptacle. As shown in FIG. 3, the diameter of opening 70, the inside and outside diameters of spring 68, and the diameter of ball 64 are all chosen so that the ball may move through the spring sufficiently far to seat tightly against the resilient material of diaphragm and gasket member 48, but not so far as to escape from within spring 68. Thus, spring 68 will substantially, immediately return the ball to the FIG. 3 position against spring 66 as soon as the solenoid valve 28 closes and the pressure from orifice 46 is relieved. Since spring 66 serves only as a locator and stop, a rigid member could be provided in its place. To further facilitate seating passageway 54 may be slightly enlarged as at 72 at the junction of passageway 54 in the cap with opening 70 in the gasket. It is preferred that the solenoid valve 28 be operated for a short period of time only, i.e., open then quickly reclose.

A further advantage of double spring-loaded ball check assembly 62 is that it assures accurate and certain operation of the shutoff means of the invention in any orientation of the nozzle, Le., the shutoff means will work properly even if dispensing nozzle 10 is used in an upside-down position. The strength of the two springs 66 and 68, in combination with the relatively slight weight of ball 64 is chosen so that the springs will hold the ball stationary in any orientation of the nozzle but will permit the ball to be easily moved by the first of the flow of gasoline out of orifice 46.

While the invention has been described in detail above, it is to be understood that this detailed description is by way of example only, and the protection granted is to be limited only within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims.

, We claim: l

l-. ln an automatic shutoff dispensing nozzle of the ty'pe wherein thevflow of pumped liquid being dispensed creates a venturi reduced pressure region, and wherein passageway means are provided starting from the venturi region and ending at a location in thenozzle adapted to be contacted by the liquid being dispensed into a receptacle when saidvliquid in said receptacle reaches a predetermined level in said recepta cle, and wherein the reduced pressure created at said venturi region draws air through said passageway means from said lo cation, and wherein said flow of air from said location through said passageway means to said vventuri region is disrupted when said liquid in Said receptacle reaches said predetermined level, and wherein the disruption of said flow of air causes triggering means to operate said nozzle from an on condition to an off condition, the improvement comprising conduit means incommunication with the flow of pressurized liquid between the pump means supplying said liquid to said nozzle and said nozzle, remotely controlled valve means interposed in said conduit means, said conduit means extending from said valve means to said passageway means in said nozzle, means to .block said passageway means operable by a flow of liquid under the control of said valve means through said conduit means, and said blocking means being inoperative during operation of said triggering means by the liquid in said receptacle coacting with the end of said passageway means at said location in the nozzle.

2. The combination of claim 1, said blocking means comprising a ball check -assembly located in said passageway means in said nozzle, and the outlet end of said conduit means being in communication with said passageway means at a location in said passageway means on the side of said ball check assembly opposite the side at which said venturi region is located.

3. The combination of claim 2, said ball check assembly comprising a double spring-loaded ball check assembly comprising a nylon ball, a first compression spring between said ball and portions of said passageway means on said venturi region side of said ball, and a second compression spring between said ball and other portions of said passageway means on said opposite side of said ball, and said second spring being stronger than said rst spring.

4. The combination of claim l, wherein said pumped fluid comprises gasoline. 

